Rasmus Hojlund is Man Utd's only thing to be positive about right now

Rasmus Hojlund Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund was a shining light as Man Utd lost to Galatasaray in the Champions League

GETTY
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 04/10/2023

- 08:35

The Denmark international scored twice in his side's 3-2 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday night

Nothing is going right at Manchester United these days, both on and off the pitch.

Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Galatasaray at Old Trafford means the Red Devils have lost their opening two matches in the competition for the first time.


It also means United have fallen to six defeats from 10 matches across all competitions.

And while Erik ten Hag insists he has the support of his superiors, questions are being asked over whether the Dutchman is the right man for the job after all.

Man Utd Rasmus Hojlund

Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring against Galatasaray

GETTY

Last season, United appeared to make progress.

After the dire Ralf Rangnick era, when the German finished a bad season in a dugout that had previously hosted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they actually defied expectations to punch above their weight.

United finished a commendable third in the Premier League table, 12 months after they'd finished sixth.

And they also won the Carabao Cup back in February, too, their first piece of silverware since a Europa League triumph under Jose Mourinho six years previously.

Nothing is going right. All the progress the club had seemingly made is unravelling with each and every passing match.

Old Trafford, a fortress last term, is no longer that. The rusting, royal ruins of a once-gladiatorial arena sum up the club's plight.

Andre Onana isn't good enough and there are many United fans who feel David De Gea, currently a free agent, should still be between the sticks.

Raphael Varane's legs are going, according to Paul Scholes, while Victor Lindelof looks increasingly like the vulnerable centre-back that arrived back in 2017.

Sofyan Amrabat isn't a left-back, Casemiro has lost his way and Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford look like shadows of their best selves.

But one silver lining came in the form of Rasmus Hojlund.

Questions were asked of United when they opted to sign the 20-year-old instead of Harry Kane back in the summer.

Sure, Kane would have been pricier. But he'd also have been a surer bet given his sensational exploits in front of goal during the course of his career.

Yet fast-forward to now and Hojlund seems to be the only positive thing about United.

He opened the scoring on Tuesday night by showing brilliant predatory instincts, throwing himself at a cross from Rashford.

The Denmark international also demonstrated remarkable composure to score early in the second half, only for the flag to go up for offside.

And when he did eventually double his own tally, and put United ahead, Hojlund showed pace, strength and poise to calmly strike the ball into the net.

Across town, at Manchester City, they have one Scandinavian superstar in Erling Haaland.

In Hojlund, however, United might just have their own.

Comparisons with Haaland are bound to be made and for the Dane's second goal he displayed similar attributes to the Norway international.

United need to start picking up the points in all competitions to save Ten Hag from the sack.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Man Utd Erik ten Hag

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure after Galatasary Champions League defeat

GETTY

It's time he places all his eggs in the Hojlund basket because, let's face it, that's the only thing that might just work at present.

You may like